Heidi Klum Says Goodbye to Victoria's Secret...

Heidi Klum is retiring her angel wings and parting ways with Victoria's Secret, Page Six reports. After 13 years as spokesbody for the company, Klum, at Paris Fashion Week, said, "All good things have to come to and end. I will always love Victoria's Secret. It has been an absolutely amazing time."

Klum isn't disappearing altogether: She's still got "Project Runway" and she's reportedly working on a fitness clothing line.

Laila Ali is Expecting Baby #2...

via People.com: Laila Ali is expecting: The former Dancing With the Stars contestant and American Gladiator host exclusively shares the news with PEOPLE in a video message.

"I am pregnant again! I'm three months, and I'm so excited, my family is excited," says a beaming Ali. "I'm hoping it's a girl this time!"

Due in early April 2011, this will be the second child together for Ali, 32, and husband Curtis Conway, 39, who married in July 2007. Their first child, son Curtis Jr., is 2.

Laila says her father, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, is excited about becoming a grandfather again.

"My dad is an excellent grandfather," she says. "He loves kids. He loves to kiss them to death." Continue reading this story HERE.

platters and more platters

For what seems like months and months I have been making platter after platter. Sixty of them to be exact. Whew, I had no idea what I got myself into when I took the order. They are all finally done, thanks to Big T, my new kiln. When Bethanie (the old Skutt kiln) could only fit 4-5 of the plates at a time, Big T fits 15. And fires them all using less energy.

I want to do some fancy photo shoot with this many platters before I send them to the client. It would be fun to set a really long table...

Hip Look of the Day: Halle Berry Shops with Nahla...

Halle Berry shopped at a West Hollywood CB2 store on Sunday alongside her mini me – daughter Nahla who is 2 now. I'm loving Halle's casual chic dress, anyone have any idea who it is? Anyhoo, well played Ms. Berry. Well played.

STARBUCKS SAVING SECRETS!

HELLO FAB LADIES!

WHILE RESEARCHING FOR BARGAINS I CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE ABOUT STARBUCKS AND SECRETS THEY DON'T WANT US TO KNOW.  I KNOW THERE IS LOTS OF STARBUCKS LOVERS OUT THERE SO HERE YOU GO! 

KEEP YOUR STARBUCKS CUP AND BRING IT BACK AT ANY TIME FOR 50-CENT COFFEE REFILLS.  IMAGINE THAT YOU CAN GO THROUGH THE DRIVE THROUGH A COUPLE OF TIMES A DAY AND GET YOUR COFFEE FIX FOR ONLY 50 CENTS!!!

MIX YOUR OWN ICED LATTE AT STARBUCKS?  YUP! You can order the espresso over ice in a big cup then go over to the condiment bar and use the carafes of whole milk, half and half, and nonfat!

Buy straight coffee and espresso and use the free condiments to mix your own beverages and save $$!

NOW YOU CAN USE THE FREE WI-FI FOR TWO HOURS AND REFILL YOUR COFFEE FOR 50 CENTS AT STARBUCKS!

LA DIVA!

mmmm...europe...

This Cities of Europe bus scroll from TransitDesign reminds me that I have not traveled in Europe for a very long time. I’ve been to eight of these cities, I think Barcelona is next on the agenda. Soon.

sometimes I forget to...

Tumbler available on my etsy shop, please click here for details.

Bibhu Mohapatra at NYFW - Upcoming Designer

A star in the making, Bibhu Mohapatra, recently showcased his Spring 2011 collection at New York Fashion Week and we must say we were impressed with his collection. Born and brought up in India, Bibhu has worked with the likes of Halston and J. Mendel under Gilles Mendel.

For Spring 2011, Bibhu put a swingin' 60's spin on classic dresses and separates by adding giant, white-rimmed and oversized sunglasses and colorful caps. His collection contained several architecturally structured pieces that were chic, stylish and wearable.

There was something charmingly retro about some of the garments themselves: an amethyst satin cocktail dress featured large, bubble-like inlays, and a smock-like trench in crisp white could have been swiped from a Jackie O exhibit at the Kennedy Center. The color palette was soft, tones like grass, stone, dusk, plum, and black, which were feminine and mysterious.

The dresses felt feminine but still fresh, and with crisp origami folds wrap-around belts, would be perfectly suited to a chic work setting.
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Bibhu’s label launched with his first collection during New York Fashion Week in February 2009. The Bibhu Mohapatra collection is currently sold at select boutiques around North America including Bergdorf Goodman. In January 2010, he was awarded the “Women’s Apparel 2010 Rising Star Award,” by The Fashion Group International.

We love his collection, which was fashion forward yet feminine, wearable and youthful with a chic element to it.

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CLEAN CHEAP AND GREENER!!!!

HELLO LADIES,

WELL BEEN IN GREENVILLE, SC FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS NOW.   I'M REALLY STARTING TO LIKE IT HERE!  MET LOTS OF GREAT PEOPLE WITH GREAT IDEAS.  RECENTLY I MET THIS LADY FROM GREER, A TOWN NEAR GREENVILLE.  SHE GAVE ME A TOTAL RUN DOWN ON HOW SHE SAVES SO MUCH MONEY AND STAYS GREEN WHEN CLEANING HER HOME.  SO, OF COURSE I WAS ALL EARS.  I CAN SAVE MORE MONEY? YES! AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS...MORE MONEY FOR NEW FALL SHOES! :) SO HERE IT IS!

VINEGAR!!!! YUP VINEGAR CAN BE USED AS AN ALL PURPOSE CLEANER! SO GOOD BYE FANTASTIC AND ALL THAT TOXIC COMMERCIAL CRAP!  GO GET A BIG JUG OF VINEGAR (VERY INEXPENSIVE!) AND A CUTE SPRAY BOTTLE - HELLO! EVEN YOUR CLEANING BOTTLES SHOULD BE FAB! MIX A SOLUTION OF ONE PART WATER TO ONE PART VINEGAR.  THIS GREAT CLEANER ALSO DEODORIZES AND DISINFECTS!  HOWEVER, YOU MUST BE CAREFUL WITH GROUT AND MARBLE SURFACES! VINEGAR IS VERY ACIDIC AND CAN DAMAGE THESE SURFACES.   SO TEST A SMALL AREA.  VINEGAR CLEANSER IS GREAT FOR KITCHEN AND BATHROOM! AND IN ADDITION CAN BE USED AS A FABRIC SOFTENER! YES LADIES GREAT FOR PEOPLE WITH SENSITIVE SKIN!! YOU ONLY NEED A HALF OF CUP OF VINEGAR ADDED TO THE RINSE CYCLE. 

LEMONS!!! I LOVE LEMONS AND THEY SMELL GREAT!  FIRST THING I LOVE TO USE LEMONS FOR WELL TO DECORATE IN THE KITCHEN.  THEY LOOK GREAT AND KEEP YOUR KITCHEN SMELLING GREAT TOO!  WHEN THEY GET OLD THROW THEM IN YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL AND IT WILL FRESHEN IT UP AND CLEAN IT. HALF OF CUP OF LEMON JUICE MIXED WITH 1 CUP OF OLIVE OIL BECOMES FURNITURE POLISH FOR HARDWOOD!  LEMONS WITH BAKING SODA CLEANS DISHES AND STAINS! 

BAKING SODA!! USE IT INSTEAD OF CARPET DEODORIZER.  SPRINKLE ON CARPET, LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES THEN VACUUM.  FRESH AND NON TOXIC CARPET! YOU CAN ALSO USE BAKING SODA TO SCRUB AND CLEAN SURFACES!

CUTE SPRAY BOTTLES CAN BE FOUND IN TARGET, WALMART AND DOLLAR STORES!

AMMONIA!!! NOT SOO GREEN HOWEVER, THIS IS GREAT FOR CLEANING WINDOWS AND GLASS! AGAIN, GET A CUTE SPRAY BOTTLE (AND PLEASE LABEL PROPERLY! YOU WOULDN'T WANT YOUR KIDS TO GET A HOLD OF IT) FILL IT WITH QUART OF WATER AND TWO TABLESPOONS OF AMMONIA.  WOW! HOME MADE WINDEX!  

AMMONIA IS ALSO GREAT FOR YOUR LAUNDRY!!!!! YEAH I KNOW IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT WOULD BE HARSH HOWEVER IT IS GREAT FOR DELICATES AND LEAVES YOU CLOTHES SMELLING FRESH!

USING AMMONIA IN YOUR LAUNDRY INSTRUCTIONS: 

USE A NON-SUDSY AMMONIA

AMMONIA IN YOUR LAUNDRY IS GREAT FOR STAINS THAT ARE ACIDIC LIKE PERSPIRATION, URINE AND GREASE STAINS.  IT ALSO NEUTRALIZES ODOR!  

IN ADDITION, IT DISSOLVES LATEX PAINT ON CLOTHES.  SO IF YOU SPILL PAINT ON YOURSELF NO WORRIES - ADD SOME AMMONIA TO YOUR LAUNDRY!

FOR HEAVILY STAINED OR SMELLY CLOTHES - PRE-SOAK WITH EQUAL PARTS OF AMMONIA TO WATER FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES.  AFTER THIS TIME PERIOD ADD DETERGENT AND 1/2 CUP OF AMMONIA AND WASH.

AMMONIA CAN BE USED FOR YOUR REGULAR LAUNDRY BY JUST ADDING A 1/2 OF CUP WITH DETERGENT.  YOU CAN ADD IT IN ALL TEMPERATURES OF WATER TOO!

WELL THERE YOU GO! SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO STAY FAB ON A BUDGET!

LA DIVA

Highlights from NYC Fashion Week Spring 2011 [VIDEO]

Narciso Rodriguez Spring 2011
NYC Highlights from Spring 2011 Ready to wear, check out all the latest trends and insider perspectives from New York's Spring 2011 fashion week in the video below:

collections

My friends’ Al and Rachel’s house was recently posted on Apartment Therapy, and I had to share some of my favorite parts: their collections. In fact, Rachel’s nature specimens collection (shown below) started my own.

Their plates collection is inspiring me to do the same...

My favorite collection is the leaves simply mounted on the wall...

See Al and Rachel’s full house tour here, photographed by the talented Sarah Rainwater.

Jennifer Hudson on Weight Loss, Parenthood [VIDEO]

Jennifer recently said that she lost an additional 20 lbs, this is on top of the weight that she lost previously and I for one think she looks great. Check out the video below where she talks about her weight loss and about being a new mommy.

still life saturday with Faye Toogood

All photography is from Faye Toogood's website, click here to visit.

Naeem Khan Spring 2011...

Style.com reviewed Naeem Khan's Spring 2011 collection and they thought that it was very reminiscent of Roberto Cavalli. And I could see that, especially in the pic above. But they also thought that there "were hardly any dresses that screamed Michelle [Obama]" and I have to disagree there (Michelle O wore Naeem Khan to the first state dinner). The first dress that hit the runway, a bright yellow frock with black beading (at the :30 mark), I could totally see Michelle Obama wearing along with another gold embellished sheath dress that another model wore with a tangerine statement necklace (at the 1:05 mark). I thought both of those dresses fit her style. Anyhoo, check it for yourself below to see more from Naeem Khan's Spring 2011 presentation.

Xerox Prints at Isaac Mizrahi Spring 2011...

I thought those were prints at Isaac's show, but I couldn't be sure. Wow. So creative.

via WWD: Isaac Mizrahi's spring collection was called IM Xerox and opened with a series of simple whites printed with tromp l’oeil pockets, buttons and lapels, as if they had been produced at Kinko’s. It was his amusing take on 3-D in 2-D, which continued on dresses, long and short, in black-and-white floral grid prints followed by the vivid, full-color versions. Mizrahi is a master of the witty design gag and makes it work by grounding the clothes in classic uptown whimsy, here in a glamorous throwback. Click HERE to see pics and watch below to see more from Isaac Mizrahi's Spring 2011 collection:

Proenza Schouler Spring 2011 [FULL VIDEO]...

Proenza Schouler designers via Style.com:
"We wanted it to be a little more polished," Jack McCollough said backstage, before Lazaro Hernandez jumped in: "So we took all these feminine codes—the embroideries, the flowers—and mixed them up in our own way. We wanted to do something without any obvious references." By the end, the models weren't ladies anymore. With their loose tank dresses made from guipure lace in hot, sulfur colors and flat sandal-boot hybrids, they were simply cool Proenza Schouler girls. Check out the video below of Proenza Schouler Spring 2011 in its entirety.

to keep Bethanie company arrives Big T

Most of you know Bethanie, my 10-year old Skutt kiln who has been serving me faithfully for the past 5 years. The wood carving on the wall behind Bethanie was done by my father when we lived in Russia. It is of an ancient pagan god, and he looks over my firings.

My work load has increased drastically since the NY Gift Fair, and Bethanie just can't keep up. So I got her a friend, Big T. Big T is a ConeArt kiln, and fits three times as many pieces as Bethanie. He is all chromed out, and a super fast fire-er.

Having Big T makes my life so much easier, and delivery times three times faster. He was a gift from my mom, my biggest supporter. Thank you, mom!

The American Prairie at Anna Sui Spring 2011 [FULL VIDEO]

I love when designers have a theme to their shows and you can clearly see it. That was definitely the case at Anna Sui's Spring 2011 showing. Her theme was "The American Prairie" and that inspiration was visible in just about all of her pieces. Some of it had a 60's flower child type feel and I don't know if you can get any more American Prairie than that. Check out Anna Sui's show below in it's entirety.

3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2011 [FULL SHOW VIDEO]...

Those are two of my favorite looks from Phillip Lim's Spring 2011 collection. Loved these as soon as I spotted them on the live stream strutting down his runway. Well I'm not gonna say much here about the showing because I found his complete runway show taped in its entirety on Youtube (woohoo!) so I'll let you watch and judge for yourselves. Check it below:

Garden Party Chic at Michael Kors Spring 2011...

We dubbed the dress above "the salad dress" when we saw it come down the runway for obvious reasons. That being said, I always like what Michael Kors presents (I'm a fangirl) and his Spring 2011 collection was certainly no different. He usually does a very luxe "we're on a fabulous vacation" in the Maldives/Safaris of Africa/South of France (pick one) but this time, Michael kept it closer to home as in right in the backyard. And again, I loved it. It was casual, but still very glam yard party fashion. Check out the video below to see more from Michael Kors Spring 2011 line:

Floating Light

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Clean & Simple at Narciso Rodriguez Spring 2011...

via WWD: The first model out at Narciso Rodriguez, wearing a bias-cut linen canvas sheath, laid out his spring premise quite clearly: long, lean silhouettes and a spotlight on feminine tailoring. Check out the video below for more from another Michelle Obama fave Narciso Rodriguez's Spring 2011 show.

Celebrities' Preferred Hair Salons

We all know how important our hair are to us. Hair is one outfit you will never take off, take back to the shop or leave at the back of the wardrobe. Your hairdo can make or break your look irrespective of how you dress. So we find out the Hair Salons (in US, UK and India) that the style conscious celebrities visit for getting those sexy locks.
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(l-r) Hilary Duff, Cameron Diaz and Mischa Barton at Byron & Tracey Salon in LA, US

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India
b:blunt Hair Salon in Mumbai is a chic space to get your hair cut while sharing space with some of the celebs. The salon is frequented by some of the who who's of Bollywood celebs including Preity Zinta, Aamir Khan,Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, Arjun Rampal. Adhuna Bhabani Akhtar and Avan Contractor are the hands behind the beautiful looks given to these gliterrati, but their other stylists are also well-trained and experts to take care of your styling needs.
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Mad O Wot Hair Salon, a store cum salon run by the funky Sapna Bhavnani is another famous hair salon visited by the likes of Bipasha Basu, John Abraham, Koena Mitra and Yana Gupta. Her colourfully messy, delightfully named salon, Mad-O-Wot, is tucked away in Bandra, Mumbai. Contact: +91.(0)22.652.902.88.


United Kingdom
Andrew Barton Salon in Covent Garden London belongs to one of the Hairdressing Industry’s most experienced and highly regarded figures Andrew Barton. Some of the biggest stars include the clientele list of this salon including Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, The Olsen Twins, Kylie Minogue, Elle Macpherson. Contact: +44.(0)20.7112.5998
Special Offer: Make a booking before October 1st, 2010 and get 30% off on your first hair appointment, quote '10YY' when you book to avail this offer.


United States of America (USA)
Byron & Tracey Salon is one of the most popular hair salons among the Hollywood Celebs. Their clients include: Fergie, Cameron Diaz, Mischa Barton, Hilary Duff, Ashley Tisdale. The salon is located in Beverly Hills, LA. You are sure to spot some famous face in this celebrity packed salon. Contact Number: +1.310.276..440
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Neil George Salon in Beverly Hills, LA is listed in Elle 2010 America's Best Hair Salon list. The chic, open space has welcomed the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Heidi Klum, Kristin Cavallari and Angelina Jolie. Contact Number: +1.310.275.2808
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Kristin Cavallari coming out of Neil George Salon

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Garren New York Hair Salon is a very plush 3,500 square foot space at the Sherry-Netherland Hotel on 5th Avenue with sweeping views of Central Park. This salon's client list includes Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy. Garren, the celebrity hair stylist who runs this salon also has long counted designers Marc Jacobs and Anna Sui among his legion of fans. One has to usually wait several months for Garren's signature, razor-sharp layers and ultra-precise short cuts (think Isabella Rossellini), but a handful of more accessible stylists on-staff have less-dense booking calendars. Get your haircut ith Garren himself (costs over $700) or book Brian Devine or Jason Quinn known for their skillful and creative work-of-art. Costs vary between $105-$305. Contact Number +1.212.841.9400.

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You can also try Hiro Haraguchi Hair Salon in NYC located on prestigious 57th street and Madison Avenue in the historic 1929 Fuller Building along with PRADA, Coach, and numerous fine galleries.

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Eliza's Eyes, is the best place to get perfectly shaped eyebrows. Eliza Petrescu is New York's eyebrow shaping guru with a client list that includes JLo and Oprah Winfrey. Eliza costs $120 first visit/$88 follow-up. An "e-ssociate" costs $85/$65. Contact Number: +1.212.757.0702

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Badgley Mischka Spring 2011...

 The Badgley Mischka duo is widely known for their fabulous red carpet fashion, but I quite enjoyed the dressed down casual chic looks and cocktail length dresses at their Spring 2011 showing. And of course these more casual looks had the same Badgley Mischka polish. The dress above was my absolute favorite of this collection hands down. It had an easy drape, with a ruffled racer back. This dress was just me all day. Love. Check out video from Badgley Mischka's Spring 2011 collection below:

Never a Dull Moment: Marc Jacobs Spring 2011...

Such interesting pieces at Marc Jacobs Spring 2011. He gave you plenty to look at...Via Fashionolgie: The show was pure '70s, recalling Bianca Jagger and Jodie Foster from Taxi Driver — all wide-legged trousers, frizzy hair, with oversized flower corsages and gold glitter platforms. Check out video below from Marc Jacobs Spring 2011:

Marc Jacobs

magaly ponce's whale-inspired multi-media exhibit

Last month my friend Magaly Ponce organized a whale-watching trip. Magaly has been volunteering on a boat for the summer, videotaping, and recording whales. Our outing was breathtaking, gorgeous weather, and a sighting of six whales, two of them babies. As we were leaving, three of them jumped out of the water for a triple breach finale, a very rare occurrence. It gives me goosebumps just to think of that moment. Whales are magical.

And so is Magaly's exhibit now on view at 65 Eddie Street, downtown Providence. I have captured just a small portion of the experience Magaly created, visit it yourself for the closing this Thursday, the 16th, during Providence's gallery night.